Hope to see you here and have a great holiday season!

When Donna Soodalter-Toman was a little girl, she liked watching her mother adorn her outfits with jewelry. She saw her mother’s look change with each piece she put on. “I saw that jewelry could create a kind of magic, and I fell under its spell.” That’s what inspired Donna to start making her own jewelry in the 1960s. Ultimately, she turned her love for adornments into a career.

She began participating in jewelry shows, then opened her own shop 12 years ago. In 2016 she moved to Gloucester and opened her latest shop, DIVA. “Gloucester has the oldest art colony in the entire United States. It’s the oldest fishing village. There are sail makers here, furniture makers, sculpture. So it’s just a wonderful place to be in terms of arts and crafts,” she says.

DIVA, or Donna’s Infinite Variety of Adornments, features pieces made by Donna and other artisans specially chosen by her. DIVA also offers vintage and antique jewelry going back to the 1700s.

“When people come to my shop, not only will they get personalized attention—they’ll get the history,” she says. Donna loves to give the background for each piece to help her customers understand what makes it special. She wants them to take pleasure in wearing everything she makes or sells. “Jewelry should make someone feel better by wearing it.” We couldn’t agree more.

In celebration of Gloucester’s prestigious award (voted in top 10 of all US cities and towns with the best American artists and crafters by American Crafts), DIVA (Donna’s Infinite Variety of Adornments on 161 Main St.) will hold a special sale during American Craft Week (Oct. 6-Oct. 15) on all contemporary pieces made by American artists and in the US.

The list of artists number more than 100 and is noted below. Go to www.AmericanCraftWeek.com for information on American Crafts.

DIVA (Donna’s Infinite Variety of Adornments) opened July 1st at 161 Main Street, Gloucester, after moving from Newton where Donna resided, worked in healthcare (MPH from University of Michigan), taught at the Harvard SPH (14 years) and had her jewelry store. Opening in 2008, after holding two shows per year in her house for well over 20 years, DIVA received “Best” by Boston Globe and Reader’s Choice Awards, yearly. Making intricate beaded necklaces and bracelets while in college, she moved on to silver and gold. At craft shows, she traded with other artists, adding their wares to her ever growing inventory, which is now unrivaled! She became interested in antique and vintage jewelry while traveling and “relearned history!” “Jewelry is reflective of the time in which it is made. When Prince Albert died, Queen Victoria only wore black jewelry of jet and onyx, sometimes with pictures and often with woven hair of those she wanted to keep close. Hair jewelry became so popular, it sold far more than silver or gold. Art Nouveaux jewelry came about in rebellion. Celebrating life in insects, animals, women and flowers, each piece has meaning. For example, snakes represent fidelity. Bakelite (invented in the 1800s) was made into purses and jewelry in the 1930s/1940’s since metals were needed for the war.” DIVA has pieces from every timeframe, in every metal/stone and at every price range. “I really do have something for everyone. While I seek pieces that I adore, I don’t want to sell what you find everywhere else. Jewelry should match the person who wears it, making them feel more special.” Donna loves to share the history behind each piece with people who come into the shop. DIVA does custom work (design and fabrication), repairs and appraisals. 978-879-4119, AdornmentDIVA@aol. com and AdornmentDIVA.com.

Relax, reconnect and reminisce with your friends on a Girls’ Weekend in Gloucester.

Need a Girls’ Weekend away? Whether you are coming to town for a the Bridal Expo or just looking to have a fun weekend with your girlfriends, Gloucester has everything you need. Drink specials, shopping discounts, paint nights and more can be found in Gloucester on the weekend of January 27-29, 2017.

Donna’s Infinite Variety of Adornments

Fabulous · One-of-a-Kind · Eclectic

DIVA specializes in one-of-a-kind jewelry from the 1700s to present day, in all price ranges. We seek out the finest in antique and estate jewelry, and attend shows all over the country to bring you the best from contemporary designers and artists. Our pieces are timeless, trendy, contemporary, and classic. We can design or select jewelry for special occasions or to match a particular outfit.